Presented by

Akeelah & The Bee

By Cheryl L. West

Based on the Book by Doug Atchison

With

Sponsored by

Directed by Sametta Parker

Technical Director & Set/Lighting Design

JR Lawrence

Assistant Director & Stage Manager

Ed Salo

Assistant Stage Manager Sophie Ramsey

Costuming Sametta Parker

Kaebriuna Ferrell Ian Buchanan Saniah Mitchell

Konor Erickson Cameron Salo Lauren Box

Cast

Crew

Backstage

Stage Manager …................…………………………………………… Ed Salo

Assistant Stage

Manager ……………………………………………...…Sophie Ramsey

Lights ……………………………….....………………John Erickson

Sound …………………………….......…………………JR Lawrence

Stagehands .......……………………………………Kameron Hampton &

Demetrius Foreman

Special Thanks

Ed Salo, you are the best!!! It has been an absolute pleasure working

with you. I hope that my brand of crazy wasn’t too much. Thank you

for helping us to bring this story to life. I would also like to thank Ni-

cole Conkwright Scott for your assistance with costuming, and Jeanne

Erickson for kid-wrangling, playing doorman, and snack lady. I would

like to extend a very special thank you to Mr. Garrick Jackson, for once

again providing original music to help us tell our story. You are a great

friend, and a talented musician. We wish you and your family all the

best. Let me not forget all of our parents for sharing your children with

us. We could not have told this story without each and every one of

them.

Build Team

Set Construction …............................………… Andrew Tolson, JR Lawrence

Paint ……………..…………………… Andrew Tolson, JR Lawrence

Props ……………………………………....………… Sametta Parker

Music Credits

Stage Note

Dear Kaebriuna, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our

deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”

-Marianne Williamson

We want you to know we love you. Spread your wings & soar.

Love,

Mom

Jansen, We can’t wait to see you make your debut! Way to go!

The Mitchells (Cecil, Brandi, Saniah, & Donvan)

Dear Callie, We are SO proud of you and love you very much!

XOXO,

Mom, Dad, Camryn & Adam, Carson, & Charlie

Saniah, We love watching you on stage! We can’t wait to see

you perform! Enjoy the moment Georgia!!

Love,

Mom, Dad, & Bro

Kab,

I am so proud of you on becoming Akeelah! I hope you

enjoy every moment!

The Mitchells( Cecil, Brandi, Saniah, & Donovan)

Good Luck Katie, You’re going to be G-R-E-A-T!

Love,

Mom, Jason, Emily, & the Littles

Late arrivals must wait at the back of the house until a scene change.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly

prohibited.

Turn your cell phones OFF.

If you need to leave your seat, please wait for a scene change

if possible.

In case of an emergency, exits are located

in the front and back of the auditorium.

Restrooms are located on the mezzanine and in the lobby.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the theater.

If you’re not saving this playbill as a keepsake,

please place it in the ”Recycle Playbills” bin

at the front door after the performance.

Thank You

If you’d like to go paperless—The FOA wants to help!

You can find our Playbill on Facebook, foajonesboro.org, or you can scan

one of the QR codes in the lobby!

Our Actors Appreciate

Your Best

Theatre Etiquette

Director’s Note

As this show opens, my heart and mind is on my

mother. This weekend would have been her 70th birthday,

but I am not weighed down by grief. I am actually

thinking of how the theme of this show reminds me of the

things that she taught me. My mother was a lot like our

title character Akeelah. She was very bright, and skipped a

number of grades in school, graduating from high school

ahead of her fifteenth birthday. She often spoke of feeling

out of place when she was a student, given that she was

younger than her classmates. Growing up in the fifties and

sixties, she wasn’t encouraged to pursue her dreams. “You

can’t be a doctor, because you are a girl. You are Black.”

Like Akeelah, her community was marred by violence. It

was frightening for her, living in Birmingham, Alabama

during the turbulent civil rights era. In spite of all of this,

my grandparents encouraged her to never give up, and

always place her best foot forward.

My mother once told me that she was so happy that I

enjoyed the performing arts and theatre because she’d never

had the courage to perform in front of others, and she could

support me without making me do something that I did not

really love. My mother and my father always pushed me to

be the best me that I could be. There were plenty of times that

I didn’t, but their work ethic created in me the desire to

always create a superior product in all that I do. I hope that I

have passed this on to the wonderful young people in this

show. They have all worked incredibly hard to tell this

story, and each of them is the embodiment of what it means

to be greater than you believed you could be. We are

#AkeelahSTRONG!

A Heart for the Arts

Creativity Lessons Learned Best When Engaging in the Art of Theatre

1. Speak and walk with intention, people are depending on you.

2. You are always being watched by Someone.

3. Speak your truth in the Light. Never be afraid to shine.

4. Humility is necessary if you want your story told, after all, you

can’t play ALL the roles.

5. Learn your part, people are depending on you.

6. When facing challenges, there is almost always more than one

right answer.

7. Take calculated risks. It’s vital to your growth.

8. If you choose a wrong answer, there is always a way to make it to

a right one. Just relax and go. This knowledge is imperative to

practice #7 well.

9. Always encourage others to shine. You are a part of their story,

and they are a part of yours.

10. There are stars on the stage, and there are stars off the stage. Both

are equally important, but most of the time, you can’t be both.

11. Answering the question, “When?” is vitally important.

12. Stay focused and finish strong. You are not competing with an-

yone except yourself.

FACTS:

• 72% of business leaders say that creativity is the number one skill

they are looking for when hiring.*

• Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are twice as

likely to graduate college as their peers with no arts education.*

• In 2008, African-American and Hispanic students had less than

half of the access to arts education than their White peers.*

• 40% of students taking class in the FOA Arts Center are from Low-to

-Moderate-Income families.

• Outreach programming focused on families who might not otherwise

be able to afford arts experiences - valued at about $160,000 - is pro-

vided by donors and sponsors and patrons from the FOA family just

like you

So if you give, please consider giving to the FOA. The arts change lives.

With a heart for the arts, Kristi

*americansforthearts.org

Professional Affiliations

Support for The Foundation of Arts is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Funding for advertising and promotion of The Foundation of Arts, its programs, and its events is provided, in part, by The Advertising and Promotions Commission of Jonesboro.

The Foundation of Arts, Forum Theater, and The Arts Center are licensed under federal law by SESAC, Inc. 55 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203.

The Foundation of Arts, Forum Theater, and The Arts Center are licensed under federal law by BMI, Inc., 10 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203.

The Foundation of Arts, Forum Theater, and The Arts Center are licensed under federal law by ASCAP, 2675 Paces Ferry Road, SE, Suite 350, Atlanta, GA 30339.

The Foundation of Arts is a member of Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Community Theatre, Arkansas Community Theatre Association, Americans for the Arts, Association for Fund Raising Professionals, and Arkansas Coalition for Excellence.

This performance has been legally licensed and all associated rights and royalties have been paid in full by The Foundation of Arts. Under strict penalty of law (punishable by steep fines, revocation of license, and/or imprisonment), no part of this production, nor any implications or representations of this production, can be reproduced for public, private, profitable, charitable, or other purposes.

To purchase tickets for any performance, visit or call the Box

Office during normal business hours or purchase tickets online

at foajonesboro.org!

The Foundation of Arts Board of Directors

The Foundation of Arts Staff

Kristi Pulliam, Executive & Artistic Director

JR Lawrence , Tech Director

Megan Dacus, Programs Director

Meridith Pierce, Associate Director

Brandon Bishop, Office Manager

Jenny Box, Customer Service Associate

Kelly Kelley, Bookkeeper

Andrew Tolson, Tech Assistant

The Foundation of Arts Faculty

Michelle Edwards - Ballet Savannah Strickland - Ballet, Jazz Brandon Bishop - Ballet, Tap, Jazz Maranda Nichols - Musical Theatre Performance LeeAnn King - Ballet, Conditioning Amber Ferguson - Tap, Jazz James Faulkner - Singing & Playing the Piano David Mason - Art Kaitlyn Bass - Ballet Elea Pulliam - Drama, Tap, Jazz Sametta Parker - Drama Carrie Hatton - Art

Megan Dacus - Ballet, Conditioning Meridith Pierce, Twirling Damon Wright, Musical Theatre Performance Penny Pausch - Art Jessica Maddox - Ballet Annie Roberts - LEAP, Drama Kristi Pulliam - Yoga Emily Allen - Art, Photography Abi Mason - Ballet, Tap, Jazz Jennifer Webb - Ballet, Tap, Jazz Sophie Ramsey - Twirling Matt Ball - Leap, Art

Damon Wright, Chair Dentist, Wright Family Dentistry

Janea Spades, Vice-Chair Attorney

Maranda Nichols, Secretary Physicians Assistant—Certified

Robin Martin, Treasurer CPA

Lorenzo Balderas EAST Lab Facilitator

Dr. Pam Haun Attorney, Waddell, Cole, & Jones

John Mixon Architect, Cromwell & Associates

Keith Pace Realtor, Century 21

Max Dacus Owner, Dacus Mini Warehouses

Russ Pierce Pharmacist

John Deacon Financial Advisor, Deacon Capital Partner

Support The Foundation of Arts because we…

• Believe that engaging in the arts grows people and unites community

• Help people, and each other, learn discipline, teamwork, creativity, and focus through arts experiences - which arms them for success in any field

• Provide disciplined creative arts study and experiences trying our best

to enable everyone to learn, regardless of their ability to pay

• Are a place for children and adults to participate in goal-oriented arts-study, in a non-competitive and technique-based environment

• Serve at least 400 families per week through arts education, theatre,

and outreach activities

• Offer community theatre with ten different productions per year including The Nutcracker Ballet, musical theatre, and children’s theatre

• Stand alone as an arts organization in Northeast Arkansas that

provides live theatre at relatively low ticket prices for thousands of patrons each year—and a Pay What You Can performance for each show so that everyone can grow from live theatre

• Work with adults and children with disabilities through the arts, allowing them the opportunity to perform annually on stage

• Bring an annual count of 55,000 trips into downtown Jonesboro for

our community

• Need your support—ticket sales and class tuition support only about half of what it takes to serve Northeast Arkansas and the more than 20,000 people we positively affect annually

• ARE YOUR COMMUNITY

The Foundation of Arts gratefully acknowledges those who provide financial support. These funds enable The Foundation of Arts to serve the citizens of Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas by offering artistic opportunities to all. Contributions may be made as a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one. Monthly gifts can be made via credit card or installments. A one-time contribution is always welcome in any form of payment. Donations to the FOA are tax deductible.

This list reflects donations received between

September 1, 2017 - September 1, 2018

Presenters ($5,000 and up) A&P Commission Arkansas Arts Council United Way of NEA St. Bernards Medical Group Cavenaugh Auto Group Wright Family Dentistry NEA Baptist Clinic & Hospital

Producers ($2,500 and up) Bob Uhlenhop First National bank Centennial Bank Adam & Elizabeth Woodruff Arkansas Community Foundation Anonymous Directors ($1,000-$2,499) Don Howard Max & Jennifer Dacus Allen Engineering, Inc. Russ & Meridith Pierce Maranda Nichols Dairy Queen Professional Title BLH Further, LLC Stephen & Linda Woodruff Junior Auxiliary of Jonesboro

Sustainer ($500-$999) Shane Hunt Doctors Anatomic Pathology Services, PA Barry & Lisa Tedder Kitty Sloan Bear State Bank Down Syndrome Association of NEA Dr. Susan Myshka Doug & LeAnne Imrie Blake Richardson Partners ($250-$499) Joe & Lauryn Carr Scott & Taura McDaniel Sharon Spence Langley YourCause Rebekah Evans Jim Bentley Lorenzo Balderas Brent & Patricia Watkins Linda Rahrle Frankie & Lisa Turner Kerry & Georgia Summitt Robert G. Wilson Kristi M Pulliam Pam Maddox

If you give, please consider supporting the FOA. Your dollars provide arts enrichment, education, and

experiences to more people, and we all grow because of it!

Patrons (Up to $99) Erin Frangenberg Zachary & Sarah King Hans Hacker Justin & Nikki Nottingham DW & RG Reed Roundtable Enterprises, LLC Tammy Hooks Lee Cheryl Wall Trimarchi Philip G Brunner Alvin L & Joy Emery F. Waylan & Cheryl Deen Virgil & Judith Carr Amazon Smile Jon & Jessica Baker John & Deborah Sipa M&L Design Works Gene & Tammy Griffey Cherisse Renee Jones-Branch Robert Rahrle Derek A & Tami S Dodd Wes Smith Distribution Company, Inc. Ruth Crimson Joe Pratt Charlott Jones Stephanie Thomas Anonymous Kevin & Kristi Pulliam Emily Devereux Deborah Smith Chris Watson

Associates ($100-$249) Jimmy Adcox Stephanie Maloney Kroger JWT Properties Jack & Peggy Havdala ASU Honors College Association Ryan Underwood Mike & Nina Thompson Kevin Broadway Jeremy & Amanda Escue Dennis Pulliam Carter Patteson Benjy Kuonen Shani Barnhill Lori Clements NEACFU Betty R Stockton David & Marsha Wright SC & Beverly Smith Patricia Qualls Wade & Johanna Quinn Dorine Deacon John & Caryn Allen Sandra Burns Martha Tolson Tommy & Barbara Rankin LaQuita Saunders Dru Fergerson

Want to help The FOA raise money? (Hint-the answer is YES!)

It’s easy! You shop – The FOA benefits from each purchase!

Option 1: Kroger * Using the website Kroger.com, log in to your account. The cute little person icon at the top right hand corner will take you there. Then choose “my account.” *Scroll until you find Community Rewards. *Add Foundation of Arts as your charity. (Organization number: WP291) *Now you can help The Foundation of Arts every time you shop at Kroger! Yay!

Option 2: Amazon Smile * Go to smile.amazon.com and log in to your account. (again, find the person icon at the top right hand corner) * Scroll to choose or change your charity * Choose The Foundation of Arts for N E Arkansas Inc (it is written exactly this way) * Use smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com for all your Amazon purchases to help The FOA! (Prime benefits still apply on Amazon Smile)

The Foundation of Arts Thanks our 2018-2019

Presenting Sponsors:

Wish List

A New Camera

Cyclorama

Lights

2 Moving Head

Spotlights

A New Tap floor

(Studio)

Sprung Floor

(Activity Room)

Laptop

Computer

(Newer than

2016)

New Stage

Curtains

New supply of

Lumber every 3

months for

shows

November 16-20, 2018

The Forum Theater 115 E. Monroe Ave

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Tickets Available Online only starting October 16

Box Office starting October 23 (870)935-2726 foajoneboro.org

Presented By

1804 W Washington Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401

(870) 935-7860

The Foundation of Arts

would like to thank the City

of Jonesboro for the use of

the Forum Theater.

Women’s Giving Circle is a fun group of women who love what the

FOA represents and want to get

together to have fun and help out where they can. If you would like to join us, we would love to have

you! Just email Kristi@foajonesboro.org!

Oct 20- Oct 26

Nov 16- Nov. 20 Dec 15 - Dec 21

Jan 24 - Jan 26 Feb 9 - Feb 15

Mar 9 - Mar 15 Apr 12 - Apr 15

May 17 - May 19 June 22 - June 28

July 26 - July 28

20

18

-20

19

Se

aso

n

(870)935-2726

foajonesboro.org